Systemic Interferon-Gamma Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis.
- Author:
Sun Hee JUNG
1
;
Su Kyeong OH
;
Un Ki YOON
;
Ji Sub OH
Author Information
1. Department of pediatrics, Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital, Pusan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis;
Interferon-gamma;
Recurrence
- MeSH:
Dermatitis, Atopic*;
Eosinophils;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hematologic Tests;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
Injections, Subcutaneous;
Interferon-gamma*;
Neutrophils;
Pruritus;
Recurrence;
Skin Diseases
- From:Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease
1999;9(2):200-209
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus and an immunologic profile consistent with allergic disease. It is associated with increased eosinophil and IgE level and decreased INF-gamma production. We describe the result of a treatment with INF-gammaand assess the clinical, immunologic, and laboratory data of 12 patients with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Twelve patients were treated for 12 weeks with 2x106 units/m2 INF-gamma by subcutaneous injection. General hematologic tests were done, and total eosinophil counts, eosinophil fractions, neutrophil fractions, and IgE levels were measured before the treatment, 2 weeks after the treatment, 12 weeks after the treatment serially. We also followed up the patients for 12 weeks after discontinuing INF-gammatherapy. RESULTS: All patients showed clinically significant improvement after 12 weeks of the systemic INF-gammatherapy. There was no clinical aggravation during the therapy period and the follow-up 4 weeks without the therapy. But the recurrence rate in the 12 weeks after discontinuing the therapy was about 40%. Eosinophil counts and eosinophil fractions were significantly decreased after the therapy. And, eosinophil counts and eosinophil fractions were increased in clinically aggravated patients during the 12 weeks of off-therapy. CONCLUSION: We conclude that INF-gammais an effective therapy in atopic dermatitis without significant side effects. The eosinophil counts and eosinophil fractions were decreased during the INF-gamma therapy, and increased in clinically aggravated patients after the off-therapy. There was no aggravation during the therapy. But 5 patients were clinically aggravated during the 12 weeks of off-therapy. Further studies for a long-term maintenance therapy and its side effect might be needed in chronic atopic dermatitis.
